Bill on More Humane Treatment of Veal Calves Gains

After hearing heated testimony from animal rights activists and cattle ranchers, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved legislation that would require what its sponsors believe is more humane treatment of veal calves.

The Assembly-passed bill, backed by the Humane Farming Assn. and authored by Assemblyman Tom Bates (D-Oakland), now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

It would require veal producers to raise calves in crates 6 inches longer and wider than the size of the calf, dimensions that proponents believe would allow the calf a healthy range of movement and reduce the need for antibiotics. Currently, many ranchers raise their veal calves in 22-inch-long wooden crates, giving them no room to turn around during their short, four-month life-spans. The bill has been vigorously opposed by members of the veal and dairy industries, including the California Farm Bureau and the California Cattlemen’s Assn., which maintain that the crates now in use are adequate for the calves’ well-being.

“What does it mean to be raised in a crate?” Bates asked as he introduced the bill. “What it means is the baby calf, when it is born, it is separated from its mother and chained to a 22-inch wooden slatted container. This confinement is such, that the baby calf is unable to lie down, turn around and to groom itself.”

‘Health Problems’

Dr. Ned Buybukminci, a veterinarian and associate professor at UC Davis said, “The intense confinement of these calves leads to serious health problems and physical problems for the calves. We would not ever consider treating other animals, such as dogs, in such a manner.

“In fact, if you confined your dog the way you confined veal calves there would be some people who would probably charge you with the California Anti-Cruelty Act.”

The veal industry, which asserted that it builds its crates according to recommendations of UC researchers and veterinarians, argued that the bill’s requirements would deal a “crippling blow” to the California veal producers.

Industry officials say providing new crates would be so costly that it would put California producers at a disadvantage in competing with veal from other states.

Members of the veal industry also disputed claims by proponents of the bill that antibiotics are widely used after the first month of a calf’s life and that keeping the animals in narrow crates adversely affects their health.

“The individual pens allow us to manage them better,” said Eric Fleck of the American Veal Assn.

Fleck also stressed that it was in the best interest of veal producers to keep their animals healthy, because if they did not “we’ll be plain out of business.”

The debate reflected the emotional nature of the bill.

“Let me lock you in the bathroom for 16 weeks,” Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) told Sen. H.L Richardson (R-Glendora), “and we’ll see how you respond.”

“We’re not locking a human being up, we’re locking an animal up,” Richardson said.

Lockyer replied it was hard to tell the difference.